Mr. Paul Hackett:

We are optimistic. That is an amazing thing to say as a representative of a business and an industry that has gone 14 months with zero trading. However, we are in a different place now. The vaccine roll-out is happening and the numbers are moving. We are not unduly critical of the Department of Health in that regard. We have the digital green certificate, which is this EU-wide result that will open airports, put pilots back in the air and get airport staff back working. The hospitality sector, including hotel staff, restaurants, cafés and bars, are relying on it.

We have to think of Ireland as a global interconnected island. We have amazing connectivity and an amazing hospitality industry. We have to get back our welcome to outside visitors and get them in. The digital green certificate has to be seen as something that is respectful of public health and is the solution in that regard. It is not a passport; it is a certificate. It covers one's vaccination status. If one has not been vaccinated, one needs a PCR test. If one does not wish to do that and has recovered from Covid, that is it. It is very fair. It is not some demonised additional passport or control mechanism; it is a route to freedom in terms of international travel into and out of this island to restore us to some sort of economic sensibility.